Amidst the dim cave's glow, Kaja delved into the nitty-gritty of the secret underground network. He spilled the details about how the manholes formed an intricate web, allowing them to dart around unpredictably. Cihan's eyes widened as the pieces clicked. "So these manholes aren't just for show. They're sneaky military pathways."

Kaja grinned, a spark of pride in his eyes. "Genius, right? Built by the Vellian Clan – big shots in both construction and guerrilla tactics."

Cihan's expression lit up. "Vellian Clan? Building and battling? That's some combo."

Kaja's nod was affirmation mixed with admiration. "Absolutely. They've mastered the art of construction as a front while secretly honing their ambush and strike skills."

Cihan leaned in, intrigued. "So beneath those buildings, they're scheming and preparing for a showdown?"

Kaja's smile carried memories. "You got it. Those construction sites hide gathering spots, strategy hubs, and intel sharing. A smart way to stay under the radar while boosting their power."

Cihan mused, "So when others see architecture, they're actually looking at a hidden armory."

Kaja's nod matched her insight. "Bingo. My training with them let us blend their tactics into our plan."

As the excitement lingered, they discussed their next steps. Kaja's voice gained a focused edge. "Alright, here's the plan: you head right, I'll go left. We cover more ground and create confusion."

Cihan's eyes met his, a determined nod her response. "Got it. Splitting up should keep them on their toes."

Kaja reached into his pouch, retrieving a small sphere. "And here's a communication sphere. We stay connected through this."

Cihan inspected it, nodding appreciatively. "Smart. Where should I stash it?"

Kaja smirked. "Somewhere safe, like in your dress. A pocket maybe?"

Cihan placed it inside her pocket. "Secure and discreet."

With their strategy set, they moved, each step echoing their resolve. Amidst the looming threat, they embraced the shadows, a duo poised to outwit the very minions that sought to ensnare them.

Scene changed to Cihan as she leapt out from the manhole. Three of the minions were noticing her presence which she wasn't care about at all while In the midst of the battlefield's chaos, Cihan's agility was a dance of death. With each calculated move, she dismantled the minions with a precision that spoke of years of training. Her bamboo blade was an extension of herself, an instrument of swift justice that silenced her enemies without mercy, either its five of them in front and three of them behind.

As Cihan's footsteps left fleeting imprints on the ground, her mind and body merged into a singular force, honed for this very moment. The transition from magician to assassin was seamless, a testament to her adaptability and determination. She had transformed, shedding the aura of mysticism for the cloak of the shadows.

The sphere nestled against Kaja's ear buzzed with the eerie whispers of the surroundings. His inquiry about Cihan's location was met with her nonchalant response, the static-laden communication carrying a hint of amusement. "Oh, just a bit of exercise, Kaja. I thought I'd continue our little dance with these minions."

Her voice, though distorted by the magical communication, held a playful edge, a stark contrast to the deadly ballet she was orchestrating. With a flicker of movement, she vanished into a yellow-hued bush, merging with the surroundings like a ghost in the mist.

Two of the humanoid minions, drawn by an eerie intuition, approached the bush. Unbeknownst to them, their quarry lay in wait, a storm of death ready to be unleashed. Cihan's emergence was swift and silent, her blade a whisper against the wind. The first minion's throat was slashed open, a crimson blossom against the stark canvas of fear.

Before the second minion could react, Cihan's blade found its mark—a deadly dance of sharp bamboo meeting flesh. The minion's right eye was gouged, its life force seeping into the earth. The bamboo blade became an instrument of retribution, puncturing skin and bone with a cold precision. The battle left its mark on Cihan's weapon, the blade now adorned with the crimson badge of victory.

Amidst the carnage, Cihan stood, her breath steady, her gaze unwavering. Her bamboo blade dripped with the minions' blood, a silent testimony to her prowess and the cost of their malevolent actions. As the minutes ticked on, she remained vigilant, a sentinel of the night, ready to strike down any who dared to challenge her.

In that moment, Cihan's transformation from magician to assassin reached its zenith. Her movements were a symphony of death, her blade a conductor's baton guiding the demise of her foes. With each fallen minion, her determination grew stronger, her resolve an unyielding force against the encroaching darkness.

And through the magical connection, Kaja bore witness to her deeds—her calculated strikes, her lethal finesse. The sphere's whispers painted a vivid image of Cihan's prowess, a testament to her commitment to their cause. As the battle raged on, he knew that their actions, though separate, were intertwined in purpose. Each move, each decision, was a step toward reclaiming their village and quelling the storm that threatened their world.

Meanwhile, on Kaja's side, the situation was no less intense. The manhole behind him stood as a passage to the surface—a pathway to their village's salvation. Kaja's fingers brushed against the edges of the manhole, a tactile reminder of the intricate network that lay hidden beneath the earth.

He recollected the words of a Velian Clan elder, a sage figure donned in a yellow construction hat. The elder's voice echoed in his memory, describing the dual purpose of these manholes. They were constructed not for mere irrigation, but as tactical conduits for their guerrilla warfare. It was a genius move, one that combined seemingly innocent construction with a deadly purpose.

A sense of gratitude surged within Kaja as he thanked the elder silently. With practiced ease, he applied pressure to the manhole, urging it to swing open. The transition from the underground realm to the surface was a delicate one, requiring finesse and control. The manhole responded to his touch, yielding to his guidance.

As Kaja emerged onto the surface, his senses were bombarded with the aftermath of battle. He observed the scene—strewn debris, scattered belongings, and the faint echoes of chaos. Many of the village's inhabitants had managed to escape, their retreat signaled by the absence of human forms.

Yet, amidst the remnants of the skirmish, Kaja's eyes caught a grim sight. A purple signal—a mark of his command—dangled from a lifeless figure. The realization struck him, a heavy reminder of the price they paid for their resistance.

His gaze shifted, settling on a group of minions that had violated a woman who now lay motionless. A pang of sorrow gripped his heart as he whispered a silent prayer for her peace. And then, with a determined grimace, he reached for a glass bottle containing a white substance—a potent weapon in his arsenal.

With an air of defiance, Kaja hurled the bottle with precision, its trajectory a testament to his practiced aim. "Fire in the hole, for the citizens of Tomat Village, motherfuckers!"

The bottle soared through the air, a harbinger of destruction. Its impact unleashed a cataclysmic explosion that rent the air with a deafening roar. The force of the blast jolted Kaja, sending him hurtling back toward the safety of the underground.

As he plummeted, the manhole closed behind him with a resounding thud, sealing the connection between the worlds above and below. The explosion's shockwave reverberated through the caverns, a volatile reminder of the power they wielded. And in the depths of the underground network, Kaja held his breath, waiting for the tremors to subside, knowing that their battle was far from over.

Amidst the aftermath of the explosion, the shockwave rippled through the underground network like a fierce current. Cihan's concern for Kaja was conveyed through the magical sphere nestled against his ear. Her voice crackled with worry, her words a desperate inquiry amidst the chaos. "Kaja, are you okay? That explosion was massive!"

Kaja's reply came swiftly, his voice determined even through the distortions of the magical connection. "I'm fine, Cihan. Just a bit shaken, but I'm holding my ground."

As he assured her of his safety, Cihan's focus shifted from the sphere to the grim scene before her. Four hundred grotesque figures, their malevolent gazes fixated on her with hunger and hatred. The weight of their numbers was oppressive, a stark reminder of the challenge she faced.

For a moment, Cihan couldn't help but voice her realization, her tone tinged with disbelief. "Over four hundred of them, staring me down. I'm starting to feel a bit overpowered here."

Her words held a hint of wry amusement, a testament to her unwavering resolve even in the face of overwhelming odds. And just as she contemplated her next move, a burst of motion caught her eye—Kaja dashing towards a location he had deduced from her previous movements.

Meanwhile, in Cihan's realm of battle, her prowess was a tempest of destruction. The minions, devoid of magical abilities, were at a distinct disadvantage, a fact that Cihan exploited with ruthless efficiency. Her bamboo blade danced like a viper, a lethal extension of her will.

The first victim felt the lightning-infused blade with a merciless force. Cihan's strikes were a blur, each blow delivered with precision and intent. One of the attackers found his fate sealed as she struck him in his most vulnerable spot, a testicle-piercing blow that ensured his agonizing demise.

The next was dispatched with a single thrust to the chest, his life extinguished in an instant. And the third met a gruesome end, his body punctured repeatedly by Cihan's relentless assault. The battle was a symphony of violence, each movement orchestrated with deadly accuracy.

As another group of five minions approached, Cihan's demeanor remained resolute. She engaged them with the same calculated ferocity, her bamboo blade leaving trails of crimson in its wake. One by one, her adversaries fell, their bodies mangled and lifeless.

Amidst the chaos, a moment of introspection pierced through the violence. Cihan's thoughts drifted to her teenage days, memories of a time when Kaja had been her mentor in this very battle style. It was he who had taught her these techniques, guiding her with patience and dedication. And as the battle raged on, she couldn't help but wonder if Kaja had moved on from his past, leaving behind the life they had shared.

But for now, those thoughts were secondary. The battle demanded her complete attention, and with each strike of her bamboo blade, she carved her path through the onslaught of minions. Each fallen enemy was a testament to her strength, a reminder that she was a force to be reckoned with, even when outnumbered.

And as Kaja closed in on his target, his heart beat in rhythm with Cihan's determination. The underground network bore witness to their separate battles, each a testament to their resilience and the bond that connected them. In the heart of the storm, they fought not just for themselves, but for their village, their memories, and their shared purpose.

Amidst the whirlwind of battle, Cihan's relentless onslaught continued, each swing of her bamboo blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. The minions fell one by one, their grotesque forms meeting their end at her hands. But just as she was lost in the rhythm of combat, a surge of powerful magic sliced through the air, aimed at her with deadly intent.

In a split second, the attack was intercepted by a figure that appeared out of nowhere—an ally stepping in to shield her. Cihan's blade halted mid-swing as she turned to face the unexpected savior. Recognition dawned in her eyes as the man's voice reached her ears. "Are you alright, Cihan?"

Cihan nodded, a mix of surprise and relief washing over her. She inquired about his identity, and the man introduced himself as Auron. His presence was a mystery, given that he had thought himself to be deceased. He recounted the eerie experience of being revived by a sinister figure, ultimately revealing himself as a friend of Kaja's.

As if in response to their conversation, a powerful figure emerged from one of the manholes, his entrance marked by a swift and deadly throw. Kaja's titanium knife hurtled through the air, its trajectory true as it struck a minion with unerring accuracy. The impact was instantaneous, the force of the blow ending the minion's existence in an instant.

Auron's shock was palpable, his gaze fixed on the display of sheer power before him. The speed and precision of Kaja's attack were nothing short of astounding, leaving Auron momentarily speechless. And as Kaja turned his attention to Auron, the tension in the air escalated. His blade gleamed in the dim light of the underground, his voice carrying a challenging edge. "Who are you, impostor?"